Fallen first responder remembered and honored Tuesday morning

2013-04-30T14:04:59Z

WEST, TX (KXXV) -

Friends and family of 52-year-old Jimmy Matus gathered Tuesday morning to remember and honor the life of the fallen first responder. The funeral was held at St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption at 11 a.m. Tuesday morning.

Matus had worked at Westex Welding & Fire Apparatus for the past 40 years. He managed all aspects of the business according to a funeral home obituary.

He graduated from West High School in 1979. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption, SPJST Lodge 54, Sokol West and the State Fireman's Association. Matus served on the West ISD school board and played Santa Claus for local organizations.

He is survived by his parents, son, daughter, two stepdaughters and grandchildren.

His father's cousin, Garratt Matus, said, "Jimmy was an outstanding man, someone who would go out of his way to help you. That's the way we are taught."

A West Texas man has pleaded guilty in the death of his 18-year-old stepdaughter who authorities say was repeatedly subjected to sexual abuse before she was fatally stabbed and her uterus was cut from her body.

A West Texas man has pleaded guilty in the death of his 18-year-old stepdaughter who authorities say was repeatedly subjected to sexual abuse before she was fatally stabbed and her uterus was cut from her body.